Frustrated with scouring wool? Try cold washing 

One thing that concerns me a little is the abundance of bacteria and fungal spores that are not killed at low temperatures, even with detergent. Gram‐positive cocciforms are the main bacteria on healthy fleeces. Some bacterial strains have the potential to cause significant illness especially when carding, combing and spinning. Remember that the fleece will have come into contact with faeces and urine. Washing at 65°C (150°F) and above will eliminate most microbes.

Thank you. I have not cleaned wool yet, but after viewing a lot of videos on hot tub washing, i arrived at the same aha moment as you. It came just as i found this video. Going to do this.

I'm amazed at this technique - I'd have been worried about agitation from the hose but with the cold water...... No matter what I try with my usual 'boil' with scouring solution/ detergent I often have to re-wash but this will be great if it works for me. Plus, kind to my wallet as not having to heat up huge pans of water over and over. I've got a power washer with a very low setting and might try a sample to see if it will get down into the dirty tips. I'm really not bothered at lock structures as I prefer to card my fleeces. Thanks a million!

I always do a cold prewash for my fleeces to get rid of the dirt and suint (sheep sweat). But if you have a heavy lanolin fleece, you do need the hot water with detergent/soap to get the lanolin out. But this method would be great for a prewash and for low lanolin fleeces!

Thank you so much for this video, I've been worried to try this method even tho I've heard others talk about it. I usually use an expensive scouring soap and hot water. In my experience with hot water I can say that it's a lot easier to destroy your locks and even partially felt them with hot water. Handling when wet doesn't help. I have another fleece that needs cleaned, so I will try this method next week and let you know. I didn't hear what breed the wool was you were cleaning. Are they a high grease breed? Also what type of detergent do you use? Do you think liquid laundry soap would be harsh? What about handmade liquid soap?? Lol, thank you for sharing...HIT THE LIKE BUTTON FOLKS! IT HELPS GET THIS VIDEO OUT THERE!

I have a huge batch of grassy, dusty wool. I’m gonna try a tray. Certainly can’t hurt it at this point. I was thinking to try cold water.

You did a great job! I've been spraying my fleeces through a netting before washing in a hot water scour, but I'm going to try the shallow tubs and soap now and see if that speeds things up and maybe uses a bit less water than I've been using. Just curious, what was the issue with the fleeces that didn't come clean with the traditional scour? Extra dirt or too much grease?

I am going to try this with my alpaca

I was just asking this myself, to myself. Like why not?

Thanks so much for sharing this technique! I found you here on youtube from your facebook post. I had to laugh at the faces looking over the fence - and my cat was very intrigued by the ducks. Keep up the good work! ❤

You are very informative. Thank you.

Thank you so much!!!!! I've been wanting to try this forever. So helpful. I'll be watching for your next video.

Thank you so 😊 much great video sending fiber good wishes to you from Katy from NZ ❤ can't wait to give this a go

How interesting! I'm excited to give it a try, and thank you for sharing your technique. You were very clear in your explanation. Also, hello sheep 😊

This was actually super interesting! I’m wondering if I can try my alpaca like this!

Hello from Melbourne Australia…Thanks for the vid! I’ve just finished scouring a very

Hello from the upstate of SC! I've done a fair amount of scouring and I have used suint baths in my backyard. My water isn't hard nor soft so that may help too. I will definitely try this! Do you have a special end on your hose to make it spray harder?

Thank you for sharing! Please keep up this great content! Does this get lanolin out? I have a very heavy greasy Shetland ram fleece and I have to pre open his locks! I have been doing two washes and two rinses! It’s taking me forever!

What soap are you using? Powder, liquid, bar? Looking for options, please. Thanks for showing this alternative method.

Thank you for this video. Sorry if I missed this, but how much and what type of soap are you using? Thank you.